Billboard Battle

The settlement with CBS and Clear Channel would require the billboard companies to remove signs in certain scenic corridors of the city. But they would be allowed to replace some of the signs in other parts of town - including historic districts. And the companies could opt out of the agreement if they don't like what the city decides to do about digital advertisments. Councilwoman Mary Mulhearn says the two issues should be independent of each other.

"Even though we're trying very hard to separate these, it's a slippery slope for us," she says. "And I can't support any agreement that going to potentially lead to determining a policy decision on digital billboards."

But a majority of the board says the settlement is the best the city is likely to get with the companies. They note there's nothing in this agreement that would allow digital billboards.